There are very few watches in the world that don’t need an introduction. The Panda Daytona is one of them.
Over the last few years, this watch has gone from being a highly desirable sports chronograph to a full-blown cultural icon. With Rolex discontinuing the old reference and launching abrand-new one, collectors are now asking a very real question:
Is the new Panda actually better than the old one?
The Discontinued Icon: Old Reference Panda (116500LN)
The 116500LN is the watch that defined the modern Panda hype. A 40mm case, black ceramic bezel, porcelain white dial, and the legendary calibre 4130 made it one of the most sought-after Rolex sports watches of the last decade.
When this reference was discontinued at Watches & Wonders 2023, retail pricing sat in the high ₹12–13 lakh range. The secondary market, however, told a very different story.
At its peak, clean pre-owned examples sold well north of ₹30 lakh, and in some extreme cases touched even higher figures.
The Case Imbalance Most People Never Notice
One of the biggest differences between the old and new Panda is something many buyers never notice at first glance — the imbalance in the case shoulders.
On the old reference, one side of the case features thicker, chunkier shoulders, while the other side is noticeably slimmer. This is correct to the piece and present across steel and yellow gold models.
The result? The watch actually wears smaller than its stated 40mm size. On the wrist, it often feels closer to 38mm. It’s incredibly comfortable, super thin, and easy to wear — but visually, it doesn’t feel like a full 40mm sports watch.
The New Release: Panda Daytona (126500LN)
At first glance, the new 126500LN looks familiar. But spend a few minutes with it in person, and the differences become obvious.
Rolex didn’t simply refresh the Daytona — they quietly redesigned it. The biggest improvement is immediately noticeable on the wrist.
Perfectly Balanced Case, Finally
The new Panda features perfectly symmetrical case shoulders. Both sides are the same width, giving the watch a much more balanced appearance.
This single change makes a massive difference. The new Panda finally looks and wears like a true 40mm sports chronograph — larger, more confident, and more modern.
Dial Changes: A Shift in Personality
The dial is where opinions begin to divide. The old Panda featured a bright, porcelain white dial with short, chunky hour markers and darker, thicker sub-dials.
The new Panda takes a different direction — a softer, creamier white tone, longer and thinner hour markers, and lighter, slimmer sub-dial rings.
It’s more refined and more vintage-inspired. Some collectors love the evolution. Others feel it loses a bit of the bold identity that made the old Panda iconic.
Movement & Case Improvements
Inside the new reference is Rolex’s calibre 4131, replacing the legendary 4130. The power reserve remains at 72 hours, but the movement benefits from improved architecture and finishing.
The caseback has also been redesigned. It’s wider, slightly shallower, and more comfortable on the wrist — a genuine improvement across the entire Daytona range.
- → Old Panda (116500LN): ₹24–26 lakh depending on year and condition
- → New Panda (126500LN): ₹28–30 lakh in today’s market
That’s only a 10–15% premium for the new reference — surprisingly reasonable for a brand-new Rolex sports release.
Final Verdict: Which Panda Should You Buy?
The old Panda is iconic and always will be. But if you’re buying today with fresh eyes, the new Panda is simply the better watch to live with.
It wears better, looks more balanced, and feels like the modern Daytona Rolex always intended.
My honest choice? The new reference — every single time.
